Bloom regular Fiann Ó Nualláin is back again this year with not only a show garden but he will also be launching a pilot project in association with Bloom and Bord Bia entitled ‘Bloom in Transition’.
The pilot scheme will see outreach horticulturist Fiann developing a project aimed at showcasing the work of transition year students in Ireland through horticulture in a new designated area within the Bloom site.
“I am bringing two transition year schools to Bloom 2015 to create two gardens relevant to their generation and about changes/transitions that should be happening in schools and facilities for youth and within gardening, food and health. This is a pilot for a larger 2016 project which will chime really well with ‘cherishing all the children equally’” explains Fiann.
As part of the pilot scheme two schools will create two five by five meter gardens at Bloom which will then become school gardens after the show finishes. Ashton School in Cork is looking at peer pressure, exam stresses and how to navigate the stress of school life by creating a calm relaxing garden which will provide tips on how to cope with worries, a concept which will be of relevance to people of all ages at Bloom. The group they will present it at Bloom as template for other schools and then reconstruct a version of it back in Cork for all the students to avail of.
The second school, Colinstown Community College in Clondalkin, is exploring the idea of outdoor education and how to incorporated horticulture into the school curriculum. The group is creating a hedge school which initially will be a garden to inform the bloom visitors about the different types of hedges you can plant and why it is better to have a hedge in your garden ecological. Following Bloom the hedges and plants in the garden will go towards an outdoor classroom back at their school.
Commenting on the long term goals of the pilot scheme Fiann says “The plan is to bring seven or more schools next year and make a Bloom in Transition Village. The aim is to have career guidance, ted talks junior and more to inspire young visitors to Bloom and promote horticulture to the younger generation.”
If you would like more information in the scheme and find out how to get involved contact Fiann at fianninspire@hotmail.com.
